VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Commercial Vehicles am i beating a dead horse?

OK guys and gals I need some input.I fool around with Corvairs and just Corvairs,you'll see what I mean. I've always wanted a private ramp truck to transport my cars when needed.I've looked a lot of places including Ebay.There are usually some on there but they are to far away (I'm in Fla) or really really big bucks. I'm not fussy about make but I do need one big enough (not gigantic)to haul a Corvair.I do not want a rollback. I had a thought of maybe a COE or flip cab Chevy with later model running gear.As long as it's mechanically sound,looks really don't matter.I'm sure insurance is going to be sky high but it won't be used but maybe once or twice a month.I live out in the boonies so storing it is not a problem.
I would appreciate any thoughts or am I "beating a dead horse" Thanks. Ed

My best guess Mothertrucker would be the man to talk to he is a member and is in Arizona

Ed,

What era truck do you like?

Chevrolet made COE's starting in 1939, them stopped making them from 1955 2nd Series thru 1959 (they only made LCF's in those years). They started making the Tilt Cab COE in 1960. To the best of my knowledge the smallest COE/LCF was rated at 2-tons.

I believe a 1-ton truck (C-30) would carry your Corvair's just fine. A 1-1/2 ton would be better, but they will all have 20" or larger truck tires.

There's a great web site for Chevrolet/GMC trucks at www.stovebolt.com go to the Forum section and then to the "Bigbolt" section for lots of good discussions and info.

Happy Holidays!

Mike B :)

Mike,thanks for the info. I think the older the truck the more it will have to have late model running gear. I'd love to find a late 50's early 60's tilt cab. I'm somewhat at a disadvantage since I have a heart condition and cannot work on cars,(DR would have a fit). Ed

Ed,
1 ton truck would be perfectly suitable for your job. Many parts are the same as 1/2 and 3/4 ton and more readily available than parts for the large trucks. Regular auto shops will usually work on this size but may shy away from the larger rigs.

Mike
1964 Corvair owner

I have been considering a truck to haul my old cars and even though I would love to convert a 50s and older truck for the purpose I am thinking a one ton cube van with the box taken off and replaced with a semi sleeper and the frame stretched with a wedge bed installed,this way I could have one that will handle highway trips and have somewhat more interior room than a old one.

Actually I think Chevy did made COE's in 1937 & 1938, but they didn't go into full production till 1939.
I sure wish I could find a good re-chrome-able grill for my 39...
Decide on a good model to build. Ugly duckling's will always be an ugly duckling...

There was a 1 1/2 ton rated '60-'73 tilt cab Chevy/GMC available. It was a T40 series. I don't think it was available for the entire production era of these trucks though, & you don't see much info. on them. I've only seen one of them. Most are T50, & T60 series. There were also Heavier T70, & T80 models. All '39-'42 Chevy COE's were rated as 1 1/2 ton trucks. 1946 was the first year for 2 ton rated Chevrolet trucks. In my opinion one of the '60-'73 tilt cab trucks would look more at home, & period correct hauling a Corvair. Check out, http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1207

corvared;
I was told by a GM COE builder down in So. Cal. that 1940's & 1950's COE cabs will sit right on Isuzu NPR chassis with no, or very little modifications. They have cummins diesel with auto trans & all the modern conveniences, power steering/power brakes/air-conditioning. They also are setup with tilt cab, making your project easier to work on & keeping maintenance an easy task.
I am putting my 1939 COE cab on a P30 frame, although I have not sat my cab on frame yet, it looks like it will set right on that frame. My mistake is that I did not get a complete running donner truck. So I will end up with a mixed match running gear, & spending more time researching & searching for running gear parts.
What ever you decide to build, think about a donner truck also. Once you decide the size/suspension/power & fuel economy you want.

The Isuzu NPR has an Isuzu diesel and some had GM 350,s. The same chassis was available with a Chevrolet nameplate and final assy was done by GM. GM is no longer assembling Isuzu incomplete chassis.